Abstract: An efficient total synthesis of thalicarpine (13b), a tumor-inhibitory aporphine benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, is described. The diaryl ether (Sa), prepared from lb and 4a, was condensed with the 3, 4-dihydroisoquinolinium salt 2a to give 9a. Reduction of 9a, followed by diazotization in phosphoric acid and heating, yielded the aporphine 10a and the phenol 9h. Formylation of 10a gave (+)-hernandaline (lob), which was resolved with (+)-a- ...
